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National Hemp Month: What It Is & Why It Matters

What Is National Hemp Month?

When & Why It Started

National Hemp Month is celebrated every July as a tribute to one of nature’s most versatile and misunderstood plants: hemp. Launched in 2020 by CBD American Shaman, this awareness campaign was created to spotlight hemp’s economic, environmental, and wellness potential—while confronting decades of stigma and misinformation.

While National Hemp Day (February 4) marks a single day of recognition, National Hemp Month expands the spotlight to a full 31 days of education, celebration, and advocacy. It’s not just about promoting products—it’s about rewriting the narrative around a plant that’s been unfairly silenced.

The Mission Behind the Month

National Hemp Month is more than a marketing moment. It’s a call to action.

The month is dedicated to:

  • Educating the public about the difference between hemp and marijuana
  • Showcasing hemp’s many uses—from building materials to wellness products
  • Advocating for smarter legislation that supports farmers and small businesses
  • Empowering consumers to make eco-conscious, hemp-based choices
  • Correcting the record on a crop that was once essential—and can be again

Whether you're new to hemp or already a fan, this month invites you to take a closer look at what this humble plant can do—and why it matters more than ever.

Why Hemp Deserves the Spotlight

A Plant With Purpose

Hemp isn’t just another plant—it’s a powerhouse of potential. Often confused with its cousin marijuana, hemp is non-intoxicating and contains less than 0.3% THC, making it legal to grow and sell under the 2018 Farm Bill.

But what makes hemp truly remarkable is its incredible range of uses. This one plant can be transformed into:

  • Textiles: soft, durable, and eco-friendly fabrics
  • Paper & packaging: biodegradable and tree-saving
  • Building materials: like hempcrete, insulation, and fiberboard
  • Food & supplements: protein-rich seeds and nutrient-dense oils
  • Wellness products: CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids derived from hemp

It’s not an exaggeration to say hemp can clothe you, feed you, build your home, and support your health. That’s a pretty impressive résumé for a crop with roots going back over 10,000 years.

Eco-Friendly & Regenerative

In a world facing climate change, resource depletion, and toxic industrial practices, hemp stands out as a natural solution.

Why? Because hemp is:

  • Fast-growing – reaches maturity in 90–120 days
  • Low-impact – requires little water and no pesticides
  • Carbon-negative – absorbs more CO₂ than it emits
  • Soil-renewing – restores nutrients and can help clean up toxins (a process known as phytoremediation)

Plus, hemp can be grown on land unsuitable for other crops—making it a valuable option for farmers and a true ally in sustainable agriculture.

Aerial view of Hemp combine harvester collecting Cannabis sativa plants for Cbd production on a farm field.
Photo Credit: 24K-Production

Hemp Helps People, Too

Hemp isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for people, too.

Its seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with protein, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, fiber, and key vitamins. They’re used in everything from smoothies to salad dressings.

Hemp seeds—also known as hemp hearts—are a powerhouse of plant-based nutrition. They’re pressed into oil, blended into milk, or ground into protein powder, all from the non-psychoactive part of the hemp plant.
Photo Credit: About Time

Its oil is a gentle, nourishing ingredient in skincare, and its cannabinoids—like CBD—are widely embraced for supporting relaxation, balance, and overall well-being.

So whether you’re wearing it, eating it, or rolling it into a salve, hemp has something to offer everyone.

The Rise, Fall, and Return of Hemp

From Founding Fathers to Prohibition

For most of human history, hemp wasn’t controversial—it was essential. Ancient civilizations spun it into rope and cloth. In early America, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew it. In fact, during the colonial era, some states required farmers to grow hemp because of its strategic importance for making sails, rope, and uniforms.

The first American flag? Likely made from hemp. And for a time, hemp was as common in homes and fields as corn or cotton.

The original 13-star American flag—often linked to Betsy Ross and the Revolutionary War era—was likely crafted from durable hemp fabric, a staple of colonial textiles.
Photo Credit: Moussa81

However, by the 20th century, hemp had become collateral damage in a war driven by fear, politics, and profit. As cannabis came to the U.S. through Mexican immigrants in the early 1900s, it became entangled in anti-immigrant sentiment and racial prejudice. Lawmakers conflated hemp with “marijuana” in public messaging to generate panic—and support prohibition.

Behind the scenes, powerful industries—timber, cotton, oil, and tobacco—saw hemp as a threat to their dominance. They lobbied hard for its restriction.

The result? The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, followed by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, lumped hemp and marijuana together as illegal. One of the planet’s most useful plants was effectively banned for nearly 80 years.

A Comeback Story Still in Progress

It wasn’t until the 2014 Farm Bill that hemp research was allowed again—and the 2018 Farm Bill finally made hemp federally legal, distinguishing it from marijuana based on its low THC content.

Since then, hemp has re-emerged as a force for sustainability, wellness, and innovation, powering a $28B+ industry and opening doors for farmers, small businesses, and researchers.

But the story isn’t over. Hemp still faces regulatory confusion, legislative threats, and public misinformation.

What we lost during prohibition wasn’t just a crop—it was decades of innovation.

Now, National Hemp Month serves as a reminder of what we can still reclaim—if we stay informed and engaged.

Why You Should “Give a Hemp”

Hemp Is the Future of Sustainable Living

If you care about the future of the planet, you should care about hemp.

From fashion to fuel, hemp offers eco-friendly alternatives to some of the most wasteful industries on Earth:

  • Hemp clothing uses a fraction of the water required by cotton
  • Hempcrete is a carbon-negative building material
  • Bioplastics made from hemp can break down naturally, unlike petroleum-based plastics
  • Hemp packaging is compostable and renewable

By choosing hemp-based products, you’re helping reduce pollution, conserve resources, and support a more sustainable economy. Hemp’s versatility means it can replace or reduce the need for many high-impact raw materials—and the more demand grows, the more farmers are incentivized to grow it.

Hemp fabric texture. Photo Credit: OlegMalyshev

Your Choices Create Change

“Giving a hemp” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a mindset.

You don’t have to overhaul your life to make a difference. Start small:

  • Swap plastic wrap for hemp-based food wraps
  • Add hemp seeds to your smoothies or meals
  • Support ethical hemp brands and local farmers
  • Read labels and choose hemp textiles over synthetic fibers
  • Ask lawmakers to support smart hemp regulation that keeps the industry accessible and safe

Every purchase, share, or conversation is a vote for the kind of future you want.

Be a Hemp Advocate

You don’t have to be an expert to spread the word. National Hemp Month is a great time to:

  • Post a “Did You Know?” hemp fact on social media
  • Educate a friend who still thinks hemp = marijuana
  • Tune in to podcasts or shows (like Just Say KNOW) covering cannabis and hemp truthfully
  • Challenge misinformation when you hear it

Hemp has been silenced before—don’t let that happen again.

A symbol of renewal and resilience—sunlight filters through hemp leaves, reminding us that advocacy for this versatile plant is rooted in both history and hope.
Photo Credit: 24K_Production

Final Thoughts — A Month to Celebrate & Advocate

National Hemp Month isn’t just about honoring the past. It’s about shaping the future.

Whether you’re passionate about wellness, sustainability, small business, or social justice, hemp touches nearly every major issue we face today. It’s a solution hiding in plain sight — and we need smart voices and informed action to protect its place in our lives.

The truth is: hemp is still at risk. Misinformation, misguided legislation, and regulatory gray areas continue to threaten progress. From attempts to redefine hemp and ban full-spectrum cannabinoid products, to economic pressures like tariffs and tax codes — the challenges are real.

But so is the power of community.

Give a Hemp: Take Action Today

If you believe in hemp’s promise, now’s the time to speak up. Here's how you can help:

  • Stay informed by following trusted organizations like the U.S. Hemp Roundtable
  • Sign a petition or send a message to your legislator through their easy advocacy portal
  • Support small hemp businesses and buy from companies that prioritize transparency, sustainability, and ethical practices
  • Share this blog or your favorite hemp facts on social media to help correct the narrative
  • And above all — keep learning, asking questions, and voting with your wallet

Because once you understand what hemp really is and what it can do, it’s hard not to give a hemp.

FAQs About National Hemp Month, Hemp Laws & THC Limits

What is the legal THC limit for hemp under the Farm Bill?

The 2018 Farm Bill defines legal hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. This standard applies to both hemp plants and all hemp-derived consumer products.

Does the 1mg THC cap for pet cannabis products affect hemp products?

While the 1mg THC cap proposed by California’s DCC is specific to animal-use cannabis products, it sets a concerning precedent. It could limit access to full-spectrum formulations and unintentionally push consumers back toward less regulated, lower-quality options—affecting how hemp-derived CBD products for pets are formulated and sold.

Are broad-spectrum CBD products affected by the new hemp legislation?

Broad-spectrum CBD products, which contain multiple cannabinoids but no detectable THC, are likely to remain legal under current federal and state laws—as long as THC is truly undetectable. However, more sensitive lab testing could flag trace amounts, so transparency and COAs are essential.

What are lawmakers like Rep. Andy Harris and Mary Miller proposing?

Reps. Harris (R-MD) and Miller (R-IL) are proposing to redefine hemp as any product with no quantifiable THC—effectively banning full-spectrum hemp products. Their efforts would undo key protections from the 2018 Farm Bill and jeopardize access to legal, non-intoxicating hemp-derived wellness products.

Can a new Farm Bill reverse these hemp restrictions?

Yes. A future Farm Bill could revise the federal definition of hemp and override any temporary restrictions introduced through annual spending bills—such as the FY2026 Appropriations Bill—but only once it is passed into law. Until then, harmful language in budget riders can still affect policy enforcement.

Why is hemp-derived THC controversial?

Some lawmakers argue that compounds like Delta-8 or THCA flower exploit a legal “loophole” in the Farm Bill. However, supporters note these compounds are federally legal, non-synthetic, and offer legal access to relief in places where regulated cannabis is unavailable.

How can I support safe hemp access?

References & Further Reading

  1. 2018 Farm Bill – Hemp Legalization Overview
    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  2. U.S. Hemp Roundtable – Take Action Against Harmful Hemp Legislation
  3. California Department of Cannabis Control – Public Comment on Animal Cannabis Product Standards
  4. VetCBD Hemp – DCC Rule Could Eliminate Veterinary Cannabis Access
  5. MJBizDaily – Hemp-Derived THC Under Threat in Congress
  6. Congressional Record – FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (Subcommittee Draft)
    U.S. House Appropriations Committee
  7. National Institute of Health – The Entourage Effect & Cannabinoid Synergy
  8. Hemp History and Federal Policy Timeline
    Congressional Research Service

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About the Author

Maria Calabrese, JD, MS

As the founder of Green Bee Life, Maria Calabrese is dedicated to raising consumer awareness within the cannabis industry, filling informational gaps, and fostering consumer confidence. Her work focuses on empowering consumers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, ensuring they find the most suitable cannabis solutions for their wellness needs. Maria's expertise helps bridge the connection between consumers and innovative cannabis insights, advocating for informed choices in the evolving landscape of cannabis as a wellness solution.

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